HERMISTON, Ore.-Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) will host a Community Memorial Service and live butterfly release on June 21.
“Our goal for this event is to bring our community together to remember loved ones who are no longer with us and to celebrate their memories with each other,” shared Vange John Memorial Hospice Clinical Liaison Carollyn Robinson, RN.
The memorial service at Victory Square Park in Hermiston runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and includes live entertainment, food trucks, a silent auction and a live butterfly release.
Those planning to attend can pre-register and purchase live butterflies to release in the memory and honor of a loved one. Butterflies are $15 and there is no limit to how many may be purchased.
“As the butterfly transforms from a caterpillar into a beautiful-winged butterfly, the butterfly release symbolizes and acknowledges the transformation we have gone through since our loved one’s death,” said Robinson.
The silent auction will include butterfly-themed gifts and artwork crafted by local artists and Good Shepherd team members, with all proceeds benefitting Good Shepherd’s Vange John Memorial Hospice families through bereavement resources and follow-up care.
“Hopefully it brings healing, comfort, peace and hope for a better tomorrow by raising funds for Good Shepherd’s Vange John Memorial Hospice,” said local standout artist Michelle Hopper, whose mixed media piece she calls “Renewal” will be up for auction.
Attendees will receive an origami butterfly, butterfly-friendly flower seeds to plant in their yards and a butterfly fact sheet, while supplies last.
The Community Memorial Service is a family-friendly event and will include face painting and butterfly capes, headbands and kites for kids.
Food trucks will be available at the memorial for those who wish to purchase food and Brass Fire Band will be performing throughout the afternoon.
Community Memorial and Live Butterfly Release schedule
Friday, June 20
- Silent auction opens at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, June 20 and runs until 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 21. Bids can be placed by texting the word “HOPE” to 71-760
Saturday, June 21
- 1:00 p.m. Registration (live butterflies available)
- 1:15 p.m. Welcome
- 1:30 p.m. Memorial service and butterfly release
- 2:30 p.m. Silent auction closes
- 4:00 p.m. Wrap-up
Vange John Memorial Hospice provides compassionate care for the terminally ill and their families in Umatilla and Morrow Counties, including the Hermiston and Pendleton areas.
The Hospice program is Medicare-certified and ministers to the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the patient and family; providing service in the patient’s home, during hospitalization, in assisted living facilities or foster home care; concentrating on making patients as comfortable as possible so they can make the most of the time that remains to them.
Vange John Memorial Hospice considers helping family members of patients an essential part of its mission, and believes quality of life to be as important as the length of life
More information on Good Shepherd’s Vange John Memorial Hospice is available online. Secure online donations can also be made for those unable to attend the memorial.
Victory Square Park is located at 150 SW 10th Street in Hermiston.
